Exploring the significance of signing with infants highlights how gestures can facilitate communication before verbal skills develop. Gestures, such as those from French Sign Language, can reduce frustration and enhance understanding between parents and children. Introducing signs as early as six months can support language development and strengthen emotional bonds. Utilizing resources like “Signe avec moi” allows for inclusive communication among family members, making learning engaging during everyday activities.
Understanding the Importance of Signing with Your Baby
Chances are, you’re already using some signs with your child without even realizing it. For instance, waving goodbye is a gesture derived from French Sign Language (LSF). Officially acknowledged since 2005, LSF is utilized by over 100,000 individuals in France, as reported by the National Information Center on Deafness. Beyond serving as a communication tool for those who are hearing-impaired, this expressive language also aids toddlers in articulating their needs.
Facilitating Communication Through Gestures
Before your little one can form words, they can express themselves through gestures. According to Marie Cao, a sign language interpreter and the author of “Grand guide des signes avec bébé,” gestural communication can significantly lessen frustration in children when they feel unheard. It serves as a substitute for cries or screams, enhancing understanding between parents and their child.
Moreover, this method not only strengthens the emotional bond between parent and child but may also positively impact language development. Children who learn to sign might even start speaking earlier, as the same areas of the brain are engaged during both language and gesture production.
By acquiring signs from LSF, your child can even communicate with peers who are deaf, as there are approximately 500,000 individuals in France living with profound or severe hearing loss.
When and How to Introduce Signing
Marie Cao notes that children typically begin to mimic signs around nine months old, as their psychomotor skills allow them to imitate adults. However, it’s beneficial to introduce signs as early as six months, as babies can start to remember gestures at this age. If you haven’t started yet, there’s no need to worry; beginning around one to eighteen months is perfectly fine too.
While you can create your own signs, it’s recommended to refer to the dictionary “Signe avec moi,” which features 400 gesture-words tailored for children and inspired by French Sign Language. André Agard-Maréchal, a psychoanalyst and school psychologist, advises ensuring that these gestures do not become an exclusive language just between mother and child. By utilizing LSF, other family members, including siblings, grandparents, and caregivers, can also engage in meaningful communication with your baby.
Learning through imitation is key. For instance, you can say the word ‘baby’ while simultaneously making the rocking gesture. When prompting ‘again,’ touch the palm of your hand twice to reinforce the gesture.
It’s best to start with one or two signs and gradually incorporate more. Regularly associating the sign with the spoken word enhances comprehension. To make learning enjoyable, Marie Cao suggests selecting appropriate moments to sign, particularly during shared activities like mealtime or reading sessions.